The Woodbridge School Board had an opportunity to tour the recently-renovated Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC) building and the site of the new middle school prior to its meeting on Tuesday, Aug, 19, at the school in Bridgeville.
Board members walked through the ECEC building and took a look at the progress of the middle school construction before the August meeting. Construction on the middle school is reportedly on time and on budget and is expected to be completed by March or April.
“We’re pleased on both fronts,” superintendent Dr. Kevin Carson said of the two projects. “We’re on third and heading for home.”
The ECEC building, which houses kindergarten and first-grade classes, was renovated during the summer. The district moved everything out on June 13 in preparation for the eight-week project.
“It’s a great school and a great environment,” said Carson, who also said the building is now cleaner, safer and accessible to the handicapped.
Carson said the biggest concern at the school is parking (due to the construction). “This will probably be the busiest portion of Bridgeville for awhile,” Carson added.
Carson also announced that the district’s staff started last week (Aug. 18) and the kids will be in school this week (Aug. 25). “It’s a busy time for a school district. We try to do a lot of things in a short period of time,” said Carson.
The board approved a policy allowing for student representation on the board. Carson questioned how the representative, who would be involved in regular sessions (no executive meetings or sessions involving the budget or personnel), would be selected.
The board agreed that the Student Government Association would make a recommendation which would be passed along to Carson, who would submit it to the board. Woodbridge High principal Jack Hassman said he would include an attendance record and the student’s grades from a year ago with the recommendation.
The board was also updated on the 21st Century grant that the district received. The grant will fund two after-school programs in the district for children in grades 5 through 8.
The grant is administered by the Research and Education Center and funded through the US and Delaware departments of education. The program, which is part of No Child Left Behind, will be done in cooperation with the University of Delaware and the YMCA. The goal of the program is to raise state test scores and attendance rates by 10 percent.
Woodbridge had 22 students participate in a summer school program in which students did activities such as tie-dyeing and making paper. The program also featured hands on math and science projects and studies in aerospace.
The after-school program will include some of those activities as well as photography, food/nutrition and life skills (through the YMCA and the University of Delaware).
The program will be open to any student in grades 5 through 8, with preference given to students who have had trouble with testing. It will take place from 3 to 6 p.m. and will include a snack, tutoring, activity-based programs and character building.
The grant provides for busing and staffing for the after-school program. No more than 75 students will be allowed per program.
“We’re very excited about the grant and the possibilities it brings,” Carson said.

Family Movie Night
On Friday, Aug. 29, at 6 p.m., the Greenwood Public Library will present a movie sure to delight the entire family, Disney’s “The Jungle Book 2.” Don’t miss the latest adventures of Mowgli and his old buddy Baloo as they reunite for more jungle fun. Refreshments will be provided by Discover Bank. The Greenwood Library is located on the corner of Market and Mill streets, next door to the Post Office.

Online homework help
On Saturday, Sept. 6, at 10 a.m., students, parents and home-schoolers interested in learning how to use the many online resources available through the Sussex County Library System are invited to the Greenwood Public Library for a guided tour given by State Librarian Terry Plummer. All resources demonstrated can be accessed on the home computers of anyone possessing a library card, making all resources available 24 hours a day. Handouts will be provided. For more information, stop by the library, or call 3490-5309.